Stark County auditor opts out of BMV business

For six years, county auditors have operated a state Bureau of Motor Vehicles office at 3187 Whitewood St. NW.

Tim Botos CantonRep.com staff writer @tbotosREP

The Stark County Auditor's office is getting out of the deputy registrar license bureau business.

For six years, county auditors have operated a state Bureau of Motor Vehicles office at 3187 Whitewood St. NW. However, Auditor Alan Harold chose not to renew the expiring contract.

"There are only six or seven county auditors in the state who have them," said Harold, explaining that he believes issuing driver's licenses and license plates is far removed from the auditor's core duties.

County auditors are responsible for everything from calculating real estate tax rates to issuing vendor licenses.

Harold said the county got into the business during former Auditor Kim Perez's term. Harold renewed the three-year lease once, but decided not to renew again, which opened the location for bids by prospective deputy registrars.

The new operator will be Joseph Burgess, who currently runs the deputy registrar office in Canton Township, according to Lindsey Bohrer, a spokesman for the Ohio BMV.

Harold said 11 people are employed at the Whitewood office. He said some will be retained when the license bureau switches over to Burgess' control during the week of Jan. 19.

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or on Twitter: @tbotosREP

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